A window that is closing fast

One of the major stories of 2006 will be Iran’s continued development of nuclear weapons, and this likely will constitute the biggest story of the year as far as Israel is concerned. Israel appears to believe that the imposition of sanctions by the U.N. would be sufficient to ease the danger since, according to testimony by Mossad Chief Meir Dagan, “forty percent of Iran’s fuel needs are imported.” However, the Israelis see the window for effective sanctions as closing fast.

I have little hope that the U.N. will take timely action regarding Iran, which means the likelihood of Israeli self-help in 2006 is considerable.